In Time

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "In Time" by Tangier from their 1989 album Four Winds, getting the Zoo Freaks vibing. This track, a melodic hard rock gem, showcases Tangier's knack for blending gritty vocals with polished instrumentation. In a rare 1990 interview with Metal Edge, lead singer Bill Mattson described "In Time" as a song about chasing dreams against the clock, inspired by the band's relentless hustle in the late '80s Philly rock scene. The song's soaring chorus and driving rhythm made it a fan favorite, often closing their live sets with explosive energy.

While Tangier never shared much about "In Time" on social media—partly because platforms like Instagram and Facebook weren’t around during their peak—fans on the Tangier Fan Club Facebook Group have kept the song’s spirit alive. One fan recently posted about catching a 1989 gig where guitarist Doug Gordon improvised a blistering solo during "In Time," nearly stealing the show. Trivia buffs might note that Four Winds, produced by Andy Johns (known for work with Led Zeppelin), was Tangier’s major-label debut, and "In Time" was briefly considered for a single release but lost out to "On the Line."

Tangier formed in Philadelphia in 1984, born from the ashes of local bar bands and a shared love for Van Halen and Aerosmith. Bill Mattson, a plumber by day, hooked up with guitarist Doug Gordon and drummer Jim King after answering a local ad for a singer. Their early days were gritty—rehearsing in a basement, playing dive bars, and scraping by. By 1986, their high-energy shows caught the eye of a manager, leading to their indie EP Tangier. The buzz grew, and Atco Records signed them for Four Winds. As Mattson recalled in a 2005 fan Q&A on tangierrock.com, “We were just kids with big dreams, pouring everything into the music.”

The band’s journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. After Four Winds, lineup changes and the grunge wave sidelined them, leading to a breakup in the early '90s. A brief reunion in the 2000s produced new music, but Tangier’s legacy lives through fan-driven platforms. You can connect with them on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather at the Tangier Fan Club Facebook Group and tangierrock.com, sharing stories and rare live bootlegs, keeping the Zoo Freaks’ spirit rocking.